Earlier this month bug outbreak was reported in UK schools where parents claimed that children were vomiting. The reason for this outbreak was norovirus. This is a group of viruses that cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.

NHS Guidelines

The National Health Service (NHS) has urged people who catch norovirus to stay home and recover as cases of the illness surged in December. Known as the "stomach flu," norovirus is highly contagious and can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Although the symptoms are “very unpleasant,” healthcare professionals say the illness usually clears up within two days.

In a warning shared on X. previously Twitter, the NHS stated:

“Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days. If you catch it; stay home, rest, and have plenty of fluids.”

How do you get the virus?

For most people, having norovirus is unpleasant, but mild and recovery could be made in 1 to 2 days. However, it could be more serious for babies, older people and anyone with any existing health condition.

Anyone can get the virus by accidentally getting particles of virus in your mouth and ingesting it. These particles are from faeces or vomit from infected people, or can be transmitted via contaminated food and water. It could also spread by touching unclean surfaces like door handles or cutlery.

It is also the No.1 cause of foodborne illness in the US and first occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, in a school in 1968. This is why the first strain is named after the location and is called the Norwalk virus.

There are also several types of strain, which can cause inflammation of your stomach. There are 10 groups and 48 types in the Caliciviridae family of virus, from where norovirus also belongs. The most common type is GII.4. It also affects around 685 million people each year, out of those, 200 million are children.

Norovirus Cases and Hospital Admissions

Recent NHS data reveals an 86% increase in norovirus cases in hospitals compared to the same week last year. On average, 756 patients were treated for norovirus in hospital beds daily during one week in December. Each year, norovirus is linked to approximately 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK, with vulnerable individuals, such as those with weakened immune systems, at greater risk of severe illness.

Impact on Hospitals Amidst a ‘Quad-Demic’

This surge in norovirus cases comes at a challenging time for the NHS. Officials reported record levels of flu, alongside rising cases of Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), creating what has been dubbed a “quad-demic.” NHS data showed a 41% jump in flu-related hospitalizations within a week in early December, with figures more than four times higher than the same period last year.

Norovirus Transmission and Prevention

Cases of norovirus typically rise in autumn and peak during winter. However, this year, the increase started earlier than usual, except for a brief dip during the October half-term school holidays. Officials suggest this highlights how schools contribute to the spread of the virus.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned that the true impact of norovirus is likely underreported because most people recover without seeking medical help. To limit the spread, people are advised to:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, as alcohol-based sanitisers are ineffective against norovirus.
• Disinfect surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
• Stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop to avoid passing the virus to others.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern over the continued spread of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) across Africa and other regions. In the past six weeks alone, 17 African nations have reported active transmission. Between September 14 and October 19, there were 2,862 confirmed infections and 17 related deaths, according to WHO’s 59th multi-country situation report released on October 30.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana have reported the highest number of cases. Infections have increased notably in Kenya and Liberia, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a slight decline and Ghana is beginning to show early signs of improvement.

What Is Mpox and How Does It Spread?

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two main clades of the virus, Clade I (subdivided into Ia and Ib) and Clade II (IIa and IIb). The widespread outbreak seen during 2022–2023 was primarily linked to Clade IIb.

Typical symptoms include skin rashes or lesions that last two to four weeks, along with fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and headaches.

The infection spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated objects, or animals carrying the virus. Transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby can also occur.

How Serious Is the Global Mpox Situation Now?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 42 countries reported 3,135 confirmed Mpox infections and 12 related deaths in September, with more than four-fifths of all cases recorded in Africa. While most regions have seen infection rates ease, the European and South-East Asian regions are now showing a slight increase.

The WHO stated that all variants, or clades, of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) remain in circulation worldwide. Experts caution that if emerging outbreaks are not swiftly controlled, ongoing community transmission may occur.

It is worth noting that in the same month, the WHO ended Mpox’s designation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) after observing a consistent decline in new infections, particularly in heavily affected African countries.

Where Has the New Clade Ib Variant Been Found?

The Clade Ib form of the Mpox virus has been newly detected in Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Additional imported cases linked to international travellers carrying the same strain have appeared in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Qatar, and Spain.

Evidence of local transmission—cases without any recent travel exposure, has been confirmed in six countries outside Africa: Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. In the U.S., three patients hospitalised in California tested positive for the new variant despite no travel history, according to The Guardian, prompting concern among health authorities.

Following these developments, WHO has officially classified these countries as experiencing community-level spread of the Clade Ib MPXV strain.

How Are Countries Responding to the Renewed Spread of Mpox?

WHO continues to assess the global Mpox threat as moderate among men who have sex with men (MSM) and low for the general population. The agency is encouraging governments to sustain surveillance systems, improve testing capabilities, and maintain access to vaccines and treatment options to prevent wider community outbreaks.

Medication recall blood pressure: More than 580,000 bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride, a commonly prescribed drug for high blood pressure, are being recalled after tests showed potentially unsafe levels of a cancer-linked impurity. The manufacturer has advised patients using the affected medication to reach out to their doctor or pharmacist for guidance.

The recall, issued on October 7 by New Jersey–based Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., involves 55 batches of Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules distributed across the country. The recalled products were sold in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg doses under the Teva Pharmaceuticals label.

Below is the list of prescription numbers included in the FDA’s recall notice, along with medical advice on what steps to take if your medication is affected.

FDA gov blood pressure medication recall: Which Medicine Is Being Recalled?

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Amerisource Health Services have both recalled certain batches of prazosin hydrochloride this month after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected possible contamination. According to FDA enforcement reports, the affected capsules may contain nitrosamine impurities that exceed the limits set under the agency’s Carcinogenic Potency Categorization Approach (CPCA).

Nitrosamines are a group of chemical compounds that, when present in high amounts, have been linked to an increased risk of cancer. They can form during the production or storage of certain medications.

The FDA classified these recalls as Class II on October 24, indicating that while the affected drugs could cause temporary or reversible health effects, the likelihood of severe harm is considered low.

Current Blood Pressure Medication Recall: Which Lot Are Affected?

The recall applies only to the 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg capsules of prazosin hydrochloride distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Amerisource Health Services. It affects select batches identified by specific lot numbers and expiration dates.

The majority of the recalled supply, over 580,000 bottles, came from Teva, with the remainder distributed by Amerisource. Details on the affected products, including the complete list of lot codes and expiry information, are available in the FDA’s official enforcement reports.

As reported by USA Today, the recall includes several dosages and packaging of the medication:

• 1 mg capsules: 181,659 bottles (NDC 0093-4067-01 and 0093-4067-10), from lot numbers 3010544A and 3010545A, with an expiration date of October 2025.
• 2 mg capsules: 291,512 bottles (NDC 0093-4068-01 and 0093-4068-10) from multiple lots, expiring between October 2025 and July 2026.
• 5 mg capsules: 107,673 bottles (NDC 0093-4069-01, 0093-4069-52, and 0093-4069-05) from several batches, with expiration dates extending into 2026.

What To Do If You Have The Recalled Blood Pressure Pills?

If you have any of the recalled prazosin hydrochloride capsules, the FDA recommends contacting your doctor or pharmacist before stopping the medication. In some cases, discontinuing treatment without medical supervision could pose greater health risks than continuing it.

Teva Pharmaceuticals has urged patients to check with their pharmacy to confirm whether their medication is part of the recall and to follow the instructions provided for returning or disposing of the affected pills. The company has already issued recall letters to its customers detailing the process.

Teva noted that no complaints have been reported so far related to the recalled batches. The company added that prazosin, which is used to manage high blood pressure, has several alternative treatments available. “Teva prioritizes patient safety and product quality at every stage of a medicine’s lifecycle,” the statement read.

Patients who have concerns or need further guidance are advised to speak with their prescribing healthcare provider.

Jesse Eisenberg has opened up about his intention to donate his kidney to a stranger. He deemed the decision as a “no-brainer.” Known for films like Now You See Me, the 42-year-old actor shared the news on the Today show on October 30th, as he explained that he got the "blood donation bug" after participating in a blood drive over the summer.

Eisenberg stated he is scheduled for an altruistic donation, which is also known as a non-directed living donation, in mid-December. This means he is donating his organ to someone he does not know, with the recipient being selected based on medical compatibility.

Eisenberg stands by his decision, emphasizing, “It's essentially risk-free and so needed." He believes more people will realize "it's a no-brainer, if you have the time and the inclination.”

His reason for saying that donating his kidney is a ‘risk free’ decision is that, after this procedure, through the National Kidney Foundation's family voucher program, his family would be prioritized should if any of them ever need a living kidney donation in the future.

Donating a kidney can help improve the quality of life and survival for the receiver, however there are a few health implications one should keep in mind.

What Happens When You Do A Living Kidney Donation?

The American Kidney Fund explains that a living donation is a kidney transplant where a person who is alive and healthy gives one of their two healthy kidneys to a person with serious kidney disease. Kidneys that come from a living person usually work better and last longer than those that come from someone who has died. There are 2 types of kidney donations:

Non-directed Donation (Altruistic Donation)

This is when the person donating the kidney does not pick the recipient. Instead, they donate the kidney to a stranger. This is often done through a program that helps swap kidneys between people (a paired kidney exchange). Jesse Eisenberg is opting for this method.

Directed Donation

This is when the person donating the kidney chooses the specific person who will receive it, for example, a family member or a close friend.

Who Can Donate A Kidney, Are There Any Benefits?

To be able to donate a kidney while you are alive, you must meet a few requirements:

• You must be 18 years old or older.
• You must have two healthy, working kidneys.
• You must be healthy enough to handle the surgery and recovery.

Most people who donate a kidney can get back to their normal life in about two to four weeks. However, a team of doctors and nurses carefully checks the donor to make sure they understand all the possible physical, emotional, and financial risks.

• You help the person who receives your kidney to live longer and be healthier, and you may even save their life.
• The detailed check-up you go through helps you learn more about your own health.

What Are The Health Risks of Kidney Donation?

Like any surgery, kidney donation also carries physical risks. These can include common issues like pain at the surgical site, feeling weak and tired, or bloating. More serious, though less frequent, risks involve bleeding and the formation of blood clots, problems related to anesthesia such as pneumonia, a blocked bowel, and the possibility of infection. Additionally, donors will have a scar from the surgery and may feel sick to their stomach afterward.

The American Kidney Fund also explains that there may also be some emotional risks involved. Some people feel anxious, stressed, sad (depressed), or guilty if the kidney they gave doesn't work well for the recipient. It is a very noble task to help someone gain a second chance for a better life. Understanding the risks and health implications can help you make the most informed choice. Let your healthcare professionals know about your doubts and worries, as it will help them make the process better for you.